Competitive vs Classical Studio

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Studio A unless it’s Vaganova (Russian) style in which case I would say B. But save your pennies in case she wants to start competing because that can get expensive.

What’s wrong with Russian style?

I don’t get that comment either. My daughter is a ballerina who trained for over a decade at a Vaganova school and loved it.

And now?

What does she do with all that training? Besides haveing an eating disorder.

[Anonymous]

She's not even in K yet, I would focus on having her try lots of things and then get more serious when she gets older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Competitive dance mom here. Competitive dance can be a wonderful experience at the right studio. The stereotype is trashy, but the reality for my daughter is team building, camaraderie, hard work, joy of dance. The moms are AWESOME!!!!

I think this is called Stockholm Syndrome.

Disagree. My DD started dance late but had this exact choice and she strongly wanted B. It’s been great. She loves being on a team, has made great friends, and has gotten all the things kids get out of a competitive sports experience- building grit, handling pressure, navigating the highs and lows of winning and losing. Most of her school friends did travel soccer and there’s Stockholm Syndrome there, too, if you think it’s in dance. She’s unlikely to pursue competitive dance or ballet past high school so in the end I’m glad she did the thing that makes her happy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former dancer and dance teacher here. Studio A.

A strong basis in classical ballet helps young dancers with technique for the rest of their dancing years. The focus on posture and on the way the body is warmed up through careful movement to address each joint and muscle group you will use in your practice is fundamental no matter what kind of dance she does later.

Also, kids with strong fundamental ballet training tend to get injured less because they learn how to protect their bodies entering and exiting movements, especially jumps and turns, in ballet. At competitive dance studios or even places that focus on jazz or lyrical without insisting on a fundamental ballet background, there is often pressure for kids to push themselves to do bigger, more virtuosic tricks, and to stretch their flexibility as far as it will go. This combination is really, really bad for joints. I've seen kids with major injuries, or (commonly) chronic stress injuries as young as 7 or 8 because they are working oversplits and high leaps without properly training plies and core postures that will make these skills safer and more reliable.

If you want to dance, ballet is never a bad idea.

Another former dancer.

Of the two choices, I'd pick A for these reasons.

But I'd look for C: a studio that prioritizes health, well-being, and fun over competition. I'd ask what age they put kids en pointe. If it's too early (anything before age 12-13 IMHO), I would run away. I'd want to hear that they had a thoughtful answer regarding strength and training and technique before they move dancers to pointe. I'm also biased, but I love tap, jazz, and some hip hop, and think that they can be healthier on the joints long term than the turn-out in ballet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former dancer and dance teacher here. Studio A.

A strong basis in classical ballet helps young dancers with technique for the rest of their dancing years. The focus on posture and on the way the body is warmed up through careful movement to address each joint and muscle group you will use in your practice is fundamental no matter what kind of dance she does later.

Also, kids with strong fundamental ballet training tend to get injured less because they learn how to protect their bodies entering and exiting movements, especially jumps and turns, in ballet. At competitive dance studios or even places that focus on jazz or lyrical without insisting on a fundamental ballet background, there is often pressure for kids to push themselves to do bigger, more virtuosic tricks, and to stretch their flexibility as far as it will go. This combination is really, really bad for joints. I've seen kids with major injuries, or (commonly) chronic stress injuries as young as 7 or 8 because they are working oversplits and high leaps without properly training plies and core postures that will make these skills safer and more reliable.

If you want to dance, ballet is never a bad idea.

Another former dancer.

Of the two choices, I'd pick A for these reasons.

But I'd look for C: a studio that prioritizes health, well-being, and fun over competition. I'd ask what age they put kids en pointe. If it's too early (anything before age 12-13 IMHO), I would run away. I'd want to hear that they had a thoughtful answer regarding strength and training and technique before they move dancers to pointe. I'm also biased, but I love tap, jazz, and some hip hop, and think that they can be healthier on the joints long term than the turn-out in ballet.

OP, if you’re anywhere near Arlington, this describes Perfect Pointe. We’ve been pleased with the balance they provide. I’m not sure it’s the best quality ever because they don’t get pushed, but I guess that’s also why they’re not injured and why competitions are so positive (emphasis on the experience and personal growth, not all about winning). Costumes are modest, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Studio A unless it’s Vaganova (Russian) style in which case I would say B. But save your pennies in case she wants to start competing because that can get expensive.

What’s wrong with Russian style?

I don’t get that comment either. My daughter is a ballerina who trained for over a decade at a Vaganova school and loved it.

And now?

What does she do with all that training? Besides haveing an eating disorder.

No eating disorder, what a bizarre assumption. She is off to college. Like a lot of dancers or athletes, she has moved on to other things but wouldn’t give up her years of ballet for anything. Her elderly grandmother, also a Vaganova student, still takes weekly adult ballet classes so it’s not like it’s something she can’t continue to enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Studio A unless it’s Vaganova (Russian) style in which case I would say B. But save your pennies in case she wants to start competing because that can get expensive.

What’s wrong with Russian style?

I don’t get that comment either. My daughter is a ballerina who trained for over a decade at a Vaganova school and loved it.

And now?

What does she do with all that training? Besides haveing an eating disorder.

No eating disorder, what a bizarre assumption. She is off to college. Like a lot of dancers or athletes, she has moved on to other things but wouldn’t give up her years of ballet for anything. Her elderly grandmother, also a Vaganova student, still takes weekly adult ballet classes so it’s not like it’s something she can’t continue to enjoy.

I am also a Vagonava trained dancer who takes weekly ballet lessons! Still love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Competitive dance mom here. Competitive dance can be a wonderful experience at the right studio. The stereotype is trashy, but the reality for my daughter is team building, camaraderie, hard work, joy of dance. The moms are AWESOME!!!!

I think this is called Stockholm Syndrome.

Disagree. My DD started dance late but had this exact choice and she strongly wanted B. It’s been great. She loves being on a team, has made great friends, and has gotten all the things kids get out of a competitive sports experience- building grit, handling pressure, navigating the highs and lows of winning and losing. Most of her school friends did travel soccer and there’s Stockholm Syndrome there, too, if you think it’s in dance. She’s unlikely to pursue competitive dance or ballet past high school so in the end I’m glad she did the thing that makes her happy

The soccer kids aren't shaking their bootie in next to nothing for a plastic trophy.